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What happens after a terrorist attack?

In a terrorist attack, Cobra could be chaired by the Prime Minister or the Home Office and will include representatives from other government departments and agencies.

The people who make up the committee depends on the nature of the emergency.

The Home Office may deploy an official to act as the Government Liaison Officer as a link between Cobra and the Strategic Coordination Centre.

The GLO may be supported by a Government Liaison Team, which may consist of press officers, and representatives from other government departments as necessary.

Cobra co-ordinates the high-level response to serious incidents, and has previously gathered after terrorist atrocities including the July 7 attacks on the London transport network, the murder of soldier Lee Rigby and March's attack on Westminster.

What is JTAC?

The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) was established in 2003 and is based in MI5's headquarters in London.

JTAC analyses and assesses all intelligence relating to international terrorism, at home and overseas.

It sets threat levels and issues warnings of threats and other terrorist-related subjects for customers from a wide range of government departments and agencies, as well as producing more in-depth reports on trends, terrorist networks and capabilities.

JTAC brings together counter-terrorist expertise from the police, and government departments and agencies so information is analysed and processed on a shared basis.

JTAC works especially closely with MI5’s International Counter-Terrorism branch, which manages investigations into terrorist activity in the UK. This enables it to assess the nature and extent of the threat in this country.

JTAC is a self-standing organisation comprised of representatives from 16 government departments and agencies. It forms a key element of the national intelligence machinery.

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London Bridge terror attack

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